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Rudolph AE, Nance RM, Bobashev G, Brook D, Akhtar W, Cook R, Cooper HL, Friedmann PD, Frost SDW, Go VF, Jenkins WD, Korthuis PT, Miller WC, Pho MT, Ruderman SA, Seal DW, Stopka TJ, Westergaard RP, Young AM, Zule WA, Tsui JI, Crane HM, Whitney BM, Delaney JAC. Evaluation of respondent-driven sampling in seven studies of people who use drugs from rural populations: findings from the Rural Opioid Initiative. BMC Med Res Methodol 2024; 24:94. [PMID: 38654219 PMCID: PMC11036624 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate prevalence estimates of drug use and its harms are important to characterize burden and develop interventions to reduce negative health outcomes and disparities. Lack of a sampling frame for marginalized/stigmatized populations, including persons who use drugs (PWUD) in rural settings, makes this challenging. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is frequently used to recruit PWUD. However, the validity of RDS-generated population-level prevalence estimates relies on assumptions that should be evaluated. METHODS RDS was used to recruit PWUD across seven Rural Opioid Initiative studies between 2018-2020. To evaluate RDS assumptions, we computed recruitment homophily and design effects, generated convergence and bottleneck plots, and tested for recruitment and degree differences. We compared sample proportions with three RDS-adjusted estimators (two variations of RDS-I and RDS-II) for five variables of interest (past 30-day use of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine; past 6-month homelessness; and being positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody) using linear regression with robust confidence intervals. We compared regression estimates for the associations between HCV positive antibody status and (a) heroin use, (b) fentanyl use, and (c) age using RDS-1 and RDS-II probability weights and no weights using logistic and modified Poisson regression and random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS Among 2,842 PWUD, median age was 34 years and 43% were female. Most participants (54%) reported opioids as their drug of choice, however regional differences were present (e.g., methamphetamine range: 4-52%). Many recruitment chains were not long enough to achieve sample equilibrium. Recruitment homophily was present for some variables. Differences with respect to recruitment and degree varied across studies. Prevalence estimates varied only slightly with different RDS weighting approaches, most confidence intervals overlapped. Variations in measures of association varied little based on weighting approach. CONCLUSIONS RDS was a useful recruitment tool for PWUD in rural settings. However, several violations of key RDS assumptions were observed which slightly impacts estimation of proportion although not associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby E Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, 1301 Cecil B Moore Avenue, Ritter Annex 905, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robin M Nance
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA
| | - Georgiy Bobashev
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Daniel Brook
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Wajiha Akhtar
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Population Health Institute, 610 Walnut Street, 575 WARF, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
| | - Ryan Cook
- General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Hannah L Cooper
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Grace Crum Rollins Building, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Peter D Friedmann
- Baystate Medical Center-University of Massachusetts, Office of Research, UMass Chan Medical School - Baystate, 3601 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, MA, 01199, USA
| | - Simon D W Frost
- Microsoft Premonition, Microsoft Building 99, 14820 NE 36th St. Redmond, Seattle, WA, 98052, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Vivian F Go
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 363 Rosenau Hall, CB# 7440, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Wiley D Jenkins
- Southern Illinois University, 201 E Madison Street, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA
| | - Philip T Korthuis
- Oregon Health & Science University, 3270 Southwest Pavilion Loop OHSU Physicians Pavilion, Suite 350, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - William C Miller
- The Ohio State University, 302 Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Mai T Pho
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Stephanie A Ruderman
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA
| | - David W Seal
- Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2210, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Thomas J Stopka
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Public Health and Community Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Ryan P Westergaard
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1685 Highland Avenue, 5th Floor, Madison, WI, 53705-2281, USA
| | - April M Young
- University of Kentucky, 760 Press Avenue, Suite 280, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - William A Zule
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA
| | - Heidi M Crane
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA.
| | - Bridget M Whitney
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA
| | - Joseph A C Delaney
- Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington and University of Manitoba, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98106, USA
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Peddireddy SR, Livingston MD, Young AM, Freeman PR, Ibragimov U, Komro KA, Lofwall MR, Oser CB, Staton M, Cooper HLF. Willingness to utilize a mobile treatment unit in five counties at the epicenter of the US rural opioid epidemic. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 159:209262. [PMID: 38103835 PMCID: PMC10947911 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION US federal policies are evolving to expand the provision of mobile treatment units (MTUs) offering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Mobile MOUD services are critical for rural areas with poor geographic access to fixed-site treatment providers. This study explored willingness to utilize an MTU among a sample of people who use opioids in rural Eastern Kentucky counties at the epicenter of the US opioid epidemic. METHODS The study analyzed Cross-sectional survey data from the Kentucky Communities and Researchers Engaging to Halt the Opioid Epidemic (CARE2HOPE) study covering five rural counties in the state. Logistic regression models investigated the association between willingness to utilize an MTU providing buprenorphine and naltrexone and potential correlates of willingness, identified using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations. RESULTS The analytic sample comprised 174 people who used opioids within the past six months. Willingness to utilize an MTU was high; 76.5 % of participants endorsed being willing. Those who had recently received MOUD treatment, compared to those who had not received any form of treatment or recovery support services, had six-fold higher odds of willingness to use an MTU. However, odds of being willing to utilize an MTU were 73 % lower among those who were under community supervision (e.g., parole, probation) and 81 % lower among participants who experienced an overdose within the past six months. CONCLUSIONS There was high acceptability of MTUs offering buprenorphine and naltrexone within this sample, highlighting the potential for MTUs to alleviate opioid-related harms in underserved rural areas. However, the finding that people who were recently under community supervision or had overdosed were significantly less willing to seek mobile MOUD treatment suggest barriers (e.g., stigma) to mobile MOUD at individual and systemic levels, which may prevent improving opioid-related outcomes in these rural communities given their high rates of criminal-legal involvement and overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha R Peddireddy
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, USA.
| | - Melvin D Livingston
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, USA
| | - April M Young
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Patricia R Freeman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Umedjon Ibragimov
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, USA
| | - Kelli A Komro
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, USA
| | - Michelle R Lofwall
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Carrie B Oser
- Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Michele Staton
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hannah L F Cooper
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, USA
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Walters SM, Bolinski RS, Almirol E, Grundy S, Fletcher S, Schneider J, Friedman SR, Ouellet LJ, Ompad DC, Jenkins W, Pho MT. Structural and community changes during COVID-19 and their effects on overdose precursors among rural people who use drugs: a mixed-methods analysis. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:24. [PMID: 35468860 PMCID: PMC9037978 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug overdose rates in the United States have been steadily increasing, particularly in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation strategies may have increased overdose risk for people who use drugs by impacting social, community, and structural factors. METHODS The study included a quantitative survey focused on COVID-19 administered to 50 people who use drugs and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 17 people who use drugs, 12 of whom also participated in the quantitative survey. Descriptive statistics were run for the quantitative data. Qualitative coding was line-by-line then grouped thematically. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated during analysis. RESULTS Findings demonstrate how COVID-19 disruptions at the structural and community level affected outcomes related to mental health and drug use at the individual level. Themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews were (1) lack of employment opportunities, (2) food and housing insecurity, (3) community stigma impacting health service use, (4) mental health strains, and (5) drug market disruptions. Structural and community changes increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness on the individual level, as well as changes in drug use patterns, all of which are likely to increase overdose risk. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigation strategies aimed at curbing infection, disrupted communities and lives of people who use drugs. These disruptions altered individual drug use and mental health outcomes, which could increase risk for overdose. We recommend addressing structural and community factors, including developing multi-level interventions, to combat overdose. Trial registration Clinicaltrails.gov: NCT04427202. Registered June 11, 2020: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04427202?term=pho+mai&draw=2&rank=3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan M Walters
- Department of Epidemiology, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Rebecca S Bolinski
- Department of Sociology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Ellen Almirol
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stacy Grundy
- Department of Population Science and Policy, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | | | - John Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Lawrence J Ouellet
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Danielle C Ompad
- Department of Epidemiology, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wiley Jenkins
- Department of Population Science and Policy, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Mai T Pho
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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4
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Duong M, Delcher C, Freeman PR, Young A, Cooper H. Attitudes toward pharmacy-based HCV/HIV testing among people who use drugs in rural Kentucky. J Rural Health 2022; 38:93-99. [PMID: 33666274 PMCID: PMC8418619 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rural areas of the United States have experienced outbreaks of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among people who use drugs (PWUD). Pharmacy-based interventions may play a crucial role in prevention and entry into care, especially when traditional health care access is limited. The willingness of rural PWUD to use pharmacies for HIV/HCV-related services remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors associated with the perceived likelihood of participating in free pharmacy-based HIV and HCV testing among PWUD living in rural Kentucky. METHODS Baseline data from the CARE2HOPE study in five Appalachian counties in eastern Kentucky were used. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and completed interviewer-administered surveys. Guided by the Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization, we examined distributions and correlates of items regarding willingness to participate in free pharmacy-based HIV/HCV testing using logistic regression. Analyses included individuals who reported being HIV (N = 304) or HCV (N = 185) negative. FINDINGS Seventy-five percent of PWUD reported being "very likely" to participate in free pharmacy-based HIV testing and 80% for HCV testing. Two factors were associated with being less willing to participate in free HIV testing: PWUD who previously tested for HIV (OR: 0.47, CI: 0.25-0.88) and PWUD who obtained a high school diploma or equivalent compared to those who completed less (OR: 0.50, CI: 0.26-0.99). CONCLUSION Free pharmacy-based HIV and HCV testing was invariably acceptable among most of the rural PWUD in our sample, suggesting that pharmacies might be acceptable testing venues for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Duong
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chris Delcher
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Patricia R. Freeman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - April Young
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky,Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Hannah Cooper
- Department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Parker JN, Hunter AS, Bauermeister JA, Bonar EE, Carrico A, Stephenson R. Comparing Social Media and In-Person Recruitment: Lessons Learned From Recruiting Substance-Using, Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults for a Randomized Control Trial. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 7:e31657. [PMID: 34855613 PMCID: PMC8686481 DOI: 10.2196/31657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recruiting large samples of diverse sexual and gender minority adolescent and young adults (AYAs) into HIV intervention research is critical to the development and later dissemination of interventions that address the risk factors for HIV transmission among substance-using, sexual and gender minority AYAs. OBJECTIVE This paper aimed to describe the characteristics of the samples recruited via social media and in-person methods and makes recommendations for strategies to recruit substance-using, sexual and gender minority AYAs, a hardly reached population that is a priority for HIV prevention research. METHODS Using data from a randomized control trial of an HIV and substance use intervention with sexual and gender minority AYAs, aged 15 to 29 years in southeastern Michigan (n=414), we examined demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with successful recruitment from a range of virtual and physical venues. RESULTS We found that paid advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, and Grindr offered the largest quantity of eligible participants willing to enroll in the trial. Instagram offered the largest proportion of transgender masculine participants, and Grindr offered the largest proportion of Black/African American individuals. Although we attempted venue-based recruitment at clubs, bars, community centers, and AIDS service organizations, we found it to be unsuccessful for this specific hardly reached population. Social media and geobased dating applications offered the largest pool of eligible participants. CONCLUSIONS Understanding factors associated with successful recruitment has the potential to inform effective and efficient strategies for HIV prevention research with substance-using, sexual and gender AYAs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/resprot.9414.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayelin N Parker
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Alexis S Hunter
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jose A Bauermeister
- Program on Sexuality, Technology & Action Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin E Bonar
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Adam Carrico
- Division of Prevention Science and Community Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Saunders EC, Budney AJ, Cavazos-Rehg P, Scherer E, Marsch LA. Comparing the feasibility of four web-based recruitment strategies to evaluate the treatment preferences of rural and urban adults who misuse non-prescribed opioids. Prev Med 2021; 152:106783. [PMID: 34499972 PMCID: PMC8545866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the feasibility of using four different web-based strategies to recruit rural and urban adults who use opioids non-medically for a survey on opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment preferences, and compared the treatment preferences of rural versus urban participants. Preferences for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) formulation and OUD treatment models were assessed through an online survey. Recruitment advertisements were shown on Facebook, Google AdWords, Reddit, and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants were categorized by zip code into urban versus rural residence using the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Health Resources and Services Administration definitions. OUD treatment preferences were compared using chi-square and t-tests. Among the 851 participants recruited, 815 provided zip codes and were classified as residing in rural (n = 200, 24.5%) or urban (n = 615, 75.4%) regions. A crowdsourcing service (MTurk) recruited the most rural participants, while posts on a social news website (Reddit) recruited the most urban participants (χ23 = 17.0, p < 0.01). While preferred MOUD formulation and OUD treatment model did not differ by rurality, rural participants were more likely to report a willingness to receive OUD treatment integrated with general medical care (χ21 = 18.9, p < 0.0001). This study demonstrated that web-based strategies are feasible for recruiting rural adults who misuse opioids. Results suggest OUD treatment preferences largely did not differ by rural residence, and highlight the importance of enhancing the availability and increasing education about MOUD formulations in rural regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Saunders
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Alan J Budney
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Patricia Cavazos-Rehg
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Emily Scherer
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Lisa A Marsch
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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Young AM, Livingston M, Vickers-Smith R, Cooper HLF. Emergence of wasp dope in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Addiction 2021; 116:1901-1907. [PMID: 33063438 PMCID: PMC8046840 DOI: 10.1111/add.15291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recent reports have highlighted the emergence of 'wasp dope' as an issue of concern, but epidemiological evidence is lacking. Wasp dope is a crystalline substance created by electrifying pyrethroid-containing insecticides (e.g. wasp sprays) that may give users a methamphetamine-like 'rush'. This paper describes wasp dope use and correlates of use in a sample of people who use drugs (PWUD) in Appalachian Kentucky, a region that has been an epicenter of opioid use and related harms in the United States. METHODS Respondent-driven sampling and targeted street outreach were used to recruit PWUD. Eligibility criteria included being aged at least 18 years, residing in one of five Appalachian Kentucky counties, and having either used opioids or injected any drug to get high in the prior 30 days. Interviewer-administered surveys queried participants' (n = 278) recent (past 6 months) wasp dope use, other substance use and demographic characteristics. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using generalized estimating equations assuming a Poisson outcome distribution in a cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS Recent wasp dope use was reported by 16.1% of participants. Men and people who recently experienced homelessness and transportation difficulties were twice or more as likely to have used wasp dope compared with their counterparts [PR = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11, 3.87, PR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.64, 4.72 and PR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.06-3.81, respectively]. While wasp dope use was associated with injection drug use and using opioids and other substances to get high in unadjusted analyses, the factor most strongly associated with wasp dope use was methamphetamine use (PR = 17.23, 95% CI = 2.57, 115.61), specifically methamphetamine injection (PR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.56, 12.78). CONCLUSIONS Among people who use drugs in rural Kentucky, USA, more than one in six people surveyed reported using wasp dope in the past 6 months, nearing the percentage using cocaine/crack (20%) and fentanyl/carfentanil (25%). Wasp dope use was higher among men and strongly associated with homelessness, transportation access, methamphetamine use and injection drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- April M Young
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky,Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Melvin Livingston
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rachel Vickers-Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky,Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky,School of Nursing, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Hannah LF Cooper
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
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Glazer JV, MacDonnell K, Frederick C, Ingersoll K, Ritterband LM. Liar! Liar! Identifying eligibility fraud by applicants in digital health research. Internet Interv 2021; 25:100401. [PMID: 34094883 PMCID: PMC8164029 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Online studies enable researchers to recruit large, diverse samples, but the nature of these studies provides an opportunity for applicants to misrepresent themselves to increase the likelihood of meeting eligibility criteria for a trial, particularly those that provide financial incentives. This study describes rates of fraudulent applications to an online intervention trial of an Internet intervention for insomnia among older adults (ages ≥55). Applicants were recruited using traditional (e.g., flyers, health providers), online (e.g., Craigslist, Internet searches), and social media (e.g., Facebook) recruitment methods. Applicants first submitted an interest form that included identifying information (name, date of birth, address). This data was then queried against a national database (TransUnion's TLOxp) to determine the application's verification status. Applications were determined to be verified (i.e., information from interest form matched TLOxp report), potentially fraudulent (i.e., potential discrepancy in provided information on interest form versus TLOxp report), or fraudulent (i.e., confirmed discrepancy). Of 1766 total interest forms received, 125 (7.08%) were determined to be fraudulent. Enrollment attempts that were fraudulent were detected among 12.22% of applicants who reported learning of the study through online, 7.04% through social media, 4.58% through traditional, and 4.27% through other methods. Researchers conducting online trials should take precautions, as applicants may provide fraudulent information to gain access to their studies. Reviewing all applications and verifying the identities and eligibility of participants is critical to the integrity of online research trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lee M. Ritterband
- Corresponding author at: University of Virginia School of Medicine, Center for Behavioral Health & Technology, Ivy Foundation Translational Research Building, 560 Ray C Hunt Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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Kuzmichev A, Onyejiuwa N, Jones PL, Dean HD. Public Health Reports: 2020 in Review. Public Health Rep 2021; 136:281-286. [PMID: 33947282 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211011306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Kuzmichev
- 12431242Public Health Reports, Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nnedi Onyejiuwa
- 12431242Public Health Reports, Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Patricia L Jones
- 8383 Office of Special Populations, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hazel D Dean
- 12431242Public Health Reports, Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA
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10
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Ballard AM, Haardöerfer R, Prood N, Mbagwu C, Cooper HLF, Young AM. Willingness to Participate in At-Home HIV Testing Among Young Adults Who Use Opioids in Rural Appalachia. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:699-708. [PMID: 32910353 PMCID: PMC7481760 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03034-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
New HIV infections associated with injection drug use are of major concern in rural US communities. This study explores acceptability of, consent for, and uptake of free at-home HIV testing among people who use drugs (PWUD) in one of the nation’s epicenters for drug-related harms and HIV vulnerability: Rural Central Appalachia. Eligible participants were 18–35 years old, lived in Appalachian Kentucky, and reported using opioids to get high in the previous 30 days. A majority reported being likely (63.6%, 96/151) to take a free at-home HIV tests and 66.9% (101/151) consented to receive one. Among those who were randomly selected to receive a Home Access HIV-1 test kit (n = 37), 37.8% mailed in blood spots and 21.6% called to receive results. This study provides evidence that PWUD may be willing to take an at-home test, but other barriers may inhibit actual completion.
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Affiliation(s)
- April M Ballard
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA.
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Regine Haardöerfer
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nadya Prood
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chukwudi Mbagwu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hannah L F Cooper
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - April M Young
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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11
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Recruitment Issues in Emerging Adult Populations: Focus on Adult Congenital Heart Disease. NURSING REPORTS 2020; 10:135-145. [PMID: 34968358 PMCID: PMC8608111 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep10020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
High-quality nursing research is important to healthcare and is precipitated by successful participant recruitment. Young adults aged 18 to 30 years are particularly difficult to recruit due to transitions during this time, which makes it more problematic to locate these individuals and may make it more difficult for them to prioritize the need for participation. This paper includes data from two cross-sectional survey design pilot studies that aimed to enroll young adults with congenital heart disease using a variety of recruitment methods. The number of participants enrolled in these two pilot studies (7 and 22) was much lower than expected but the recruitment challenges encountered were consistent with other research studies that have recruited young adult populations. After presenting these data and a discussion of the relevant literature, we conclude with proposed strategies for research recruitment of young adults for nurse scientists who directly impact evidence-based literature and practice with research contributions.
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